Direct Electrical Stimulation of The Brain does not Enhance Memory
Highlights
- Deep brain stimulation involves implanting electrodes deep inside the brain and passing electric currents.
- Previous research had stated that deep brain stimulation (DBS) caused a 64% improvement in memory.
- However, recent research has proved that DBS caused memory impairment by at least 5% to 20%.
Deep brain stimulation of the areas in the brain, which are associated with memory, does not improve memory.
These findings are from the latest study conducted by researchers from the Columbia University and published in Neuron.
‘Direct deep brain stimulation does not improve memory, it can be used to alter a neural process as complex as memory.’
Areas of the brain involved in memory are hippocampus and associated structures in the medial temporal lobe, including the entorhinal, perirhinal, and parahippocampal cortexes.
The study opposes an earlier research conducted in 2012, that was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. The research had stated that there was a 64% improvement in memory of patients subjected to deep brain stimulation (DBS).
The current study states that none of the participants showed any improvement. On the other hand their memory was impaired by at least 5% to 20% with stimulation.
But researchers still believe DBS would be a possible intervention for individuals with memory problems caused by disease or trauma.
The findings suggest that if this specific form of stimulation diminishes memory performance, there may be other approaches that may improve it.
"We may need a different kind of stimulation protocol to affect this region in a good direction," says lead investigator Joshua Jacobs, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Columbia's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science.
DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa1107212
Source: Medindia
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APA
Dr. Meenakshy Varier. (2016, December 07). Direct Electrical Stimulation of The Brain does not Enhance Memory. Medindia. Retrieved on Jan 07, 2025 from https://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/direct-electrical-stimulation-of-the-brain-does-not-enhance-memory-165972-1.htm.
MLA
Dr. Meenakshy Varier. "Direct Electrical Stimulation of The Brain does not Enhance Memory". Medindia. Jan 07, 2025. <https://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/direct-electrical-stimulation-of-the-brain-does-not-enhance-memory-165972-1.htm>.
Chicago
Dr. Meenakshy Varier. "Direct Electrical Stimulation of The Brain does not Enhance Memory". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/direct-electrical-stimulation-of-the-brain-does-not-enhance-memory-165972-1.htm. (accessed Jan 07, 2025).
Harvard
Dr. Meenakshy Varier. 2016. Direct Electrical Stimulation of The Brain does not Enhance Memory. Medindia, viewed Jan 07, 2025, https://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/direct-electrical-stimulation-of-the-brain-does-not-enhance-memory-165972-1.htm.
Cite this Article ⇣⇡
Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:
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APA
Dr. Meenakshy Varier. (2016, December 07). Direct Electrical Stimulation of The Brain does not Enhance Memory. Medindia. Retrieved on Jan 07, 2025 from https://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/direct-electrical-stimulation-of-the-brain-does-not-enhance-memory-165972-1.htm.
MLA
Dr. Meenakshy Varier. "Direct Electrical Stimulation of The Brain does not Enhance Memory". Medindia. Jan 07, 2025. <https://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/direct-electrical-stimulation-of-the-brain-does-not-enhance-memory-165972-1.htm>.
Chicago
Dr. Meenakshy Varier. "Direct Electrical Stimulation of The Brain does not Enhance Memory". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/direct-electrical-stimulation-of-the-brain-does-not-enhance-memory-165972-1.htm. (accessed Jan 07, 2025).
Harvard
Dr. Meenakshy Varier. 2016. Direct Electrical Stimulation of The Brain does not Enhance Memory. Medindia, viewed Jan 07, 2025, https://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/direct-electrical-stimulation-of-the-brain-does-not-enhance-memory-165972-1.htm.